Houston Homeschool United Baseball

Psalm 133:1

10/13/11

After three years of doing this, it's apparent that homeschool baseball has gained a position of respect in and around the Houston area. We now routinely get the best from our opponents who now know that, yes, homeschoolers to play baseball. And our players have been up to this challenge.

Thank you players and families for being a part of creating a spirit of unity in the homeschool baseball community in this area and for helping to show the quality of baseball played by homeschoolers in the Houston area.

Best wishes to you all in your spring seasons. Let us know how we can help if you are looking to play at the next level.

10/3/11

Once again, we've seen some good teams this fall in the KC Fall Varsity League. Yesterday, we saw about as good a pitching as we have seen in Game One vs. the KC Orange team, for instance.

Also, for the second year in a row, we have played a TASO Tournament Finalist at Kyle Chapman. Last year, we faced Foster. This year, we faced Cy Ranch, who lost in the 2012 TASO finals vs. The Woodlands, 3-2, at Minute Maid.

You might recall that we lost two tough ball games to Cy Ranch, 1-0 and 2-1. So, that gives you an idea of what the United players are facing each weekend. This will help us all in terms of confidence and preparation as we move into the the spring season.

8/28/11

If you are interested in playing at the next level, please take a look at the post from last season (9/1/10 -- "The Next Level") on this subject. There's a lot of great info there.

We've got a number of our former United players playing college baseball at present, and we are excited for them. The good news is that this is certainly doable for a homeschool baseball player. Still, it requires effort and personal involvement by the player and family. If you expect the coaches to just come calling or show up to see you play because you are a good player, guess again.

The fall semester is a great time to make contact with those colleges where you might be interested in attending and also playing baseball. During the fall, college teams are working out but without game pressure. Things slow down, and they are thinking about the next season ... and also recruiting. I would encourage you seniors to be making strategic college visits now and also to be asking to work out for/practice with the team when you go. Juniors, you can do this, as well. But for seniors, this time is really important.

If you want more information on demystifying the journey to college baseball, please feel free to shoot me an email or call me at 281-413-5418.

10/11/10

Well, the Houston Homeschool United (they occasionally get our name right in the booth now) have now wrapped up their second winning campaign (8-5) in as many years out at Kyle Chapman. More significantly, congratulations to our players and fans for representing homeschool baseball so well. Mike Rutledge commented on how much he has enjoyed having the United in the league since he took a chance on us last year.

We feel like we have achieved one of our main goals in promoting homeschool baseball. This will pay off in terms of scheduling, relationships with other coaches/programs, umpires, and ultimately scouting. Once again, our players caught the eye of college scouts in attendance this fall.

The experience creates a lot of opportunities for our players and hopefully expands their vision. In a city with some of the nation's best baseball talent, our players can compete.

Also, we believe that a spirit of unity will follow us into the spring as we compete.

All games are played on one of the two Bayland Park high school fields (Colt or M-5), located at 6400 Bissonnet in Houston. Colt field is located closest to the entrance.

To get to Bayland Park: Exit Fournace/Bissonnet from Loop 610 South (or Bissonnet going north), and then proceed west on Bissonnet. The entrance to the park is approximately 100 yards past (west of) the intersection of Hillcroft and Bissonnet.

Call the KC Rainout Line at 713-238-3688 before heading to each game to ensure that the fields are playable and the games are on.

Pregame begins one hour before the scheduled game time. Players, bring water and be responsible to hydrate properly.

2011 Roster and Coaching Staff

#2 -- Spencer Bates (Sr.)

#5 -- Ross McWhorter (Sr.)

#6 -- Drew Leighton (So.)

#8 -- Will Leighton (Sr.)

#9 -- Andrew Brockner (Jr.)

#10 -- Drew Vedrenne (Sr.)

#11 -- Dallas Chute (So.)

#14 -- Nathan Crumby (So.)

#15 -- Josh Tobias (Sr.)

#17 -- Chris Nguyen (So.)

#18 -- Colin Powers (Jr.)

#20 -- Nathan Pyle (Jr.)

#28 -- Moses Smith (So.)

#44 -- Wyatt Saltarelli (So.)

#45 -- Cheo Jauregui (Sr.)

Head Coach -- Cheo Jauregui

cheo-at-clockspring-dot-com

Asst. Coach -- Ray Boothe

insurance-at-bootheinsurance-dot-com

Asst. Coach -- Rick Rutledge

rickrutline-at-gmail-dot-com

281-413-5418

About the United

Founded in 2009, the Houston Homeschool United is a team comprised of members of the four Houston-area, competitive homeschool baseball teams. The United competes in the fall Kyle Chapman League at Bayland Park.

In its first season, the United went 9-3 in its fall schedule, defeating every team it played at least once.

In 2010, the United posted another winning campaign at Kyle Chapman (8-5) and continued to showcase the outstanding high school baseball played by homeschoolers in the Houston area.

Our purpose is to field a team that allows our players to play baseball at the highest level while also providing opportunities for those who want to play at the next level to be seen by scouts.

We desire to support the Houston-area competitive baseball programs, in the spirit of cooperation and unity. In fact, our team colors are a mixture of the colors of the Houston-area's four teams: purple (blue for the HCYA Eagles and red for the MtB Mustangs) and gold (yellow for West Houston Thunder and orange for the Northside Falcons).

Our parents are reminded that the coaching staff is responsible for all on-field instruction and in-game decisions, just as it is with the area 5A programs that we compete against. Interference with the coaching staff in the performance of its duties is strictly prohibited.

Players, parents and United fans alike are also reminded that we view our mission as being ambassadors for homeschool baseball in the Houston area. As such, we will at all times respect opponents and their fans, umpires, teammates and coaches.

To be a part of the United, players from the local competitive programs must be in good standing with their spring team and then try out for a roster spot the United.